Showing posts with label Downtown Revitalization Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Downtown Revitalization Series. Show all posts

Monday, September 28, 2026

Downtown Revitalization Series: Franklin For All podcast episodes - part 1 of 2

I had an internal debate on what order to list these episodes and decided that the chronological order was probably best. You can listen to any or all as you choose. 



#1 - This Franklin For All Discussion reveals insights on process and accessory dwelling units - 03/15/22 (audio)  (39 minutes)
Downtown Revitalization Series: Franklin For All podcast episodes - part 1 of 2

FM #755 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 755 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with several members of the Economic Development “Plus” Committee to talk about the Franklin For All process. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Mar 15, 2022. 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-755-franklin-for-all-discussion-03-15-22

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#2 -Downtown Zoning Discussion with Councilors Hamblen & Frongillo - 12/19/22 (audio)  (45 minutes)

FM #904 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 904 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Town Councilors Melanie Hamblen and Cobi Frongillo. We met in the Franklin TV Studio on Monday, Dec 19, 2022.


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#3 - Downtown Zoning Discussion with D'Errico, Frongillo & Hamblen - 01/18/23 (audio)  (60 minutes)

FM #922 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 922 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Joel D’Errico, Melanie Hamblen and Cobi Frongillo. Joel, Melanie and I were in the Franklin TV Studio on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Cobi joined us for almost all of the discussion via phone.


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#4 - Listen to this discussion on housing, zoning, and getting the process to produce what we need (audio) (107 minutes)

FM #942 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 942 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the housing and zoning discussion with Brad Chafee, Melanie Hamblen and Cobi Frongillo. Brad, Melanie and I were in the Franklin TV Studio on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Cobi joined us for the discussion via Zoom.


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Sunday, September 27, 2026

Downtown Revitalization Series: Starting with the 1983-1984 MAPC study

During 1983-1984 a group of Franklin folks worked with Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on a Downtown Franklin Plan, not unlike the Franklin For All report that came out in 2022.

As the UMass Boston students will be reviewing a number of planning documents in preparation for their study per the Economic Development Subcommittee, key sections of those prior planning docs (Franklin For All, Master Pln, etc.) will be shared here.

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"INTROOUCTION

Franklin is located in the southwestern corner of the Boston metropolitan area and is typical of a small New England community. It has maintained a traditional character and among those features which have survived are examples of period architecture, Dean Junior College, and a friendly, small-town atmosphere. However, Franklin is beginning to feel pressure from modern day changes.

With the completion of Interstate Route 495, the terminus of the commuter rail line located in the heart of the downtown and the beginning of development expansion in the area, Franklin is changing.

The demands of modern transportation and marketing have been disruptive to the fabric of the community. The ability of towns like Franklin to adapt to the rapid growth and change will be a major determining factor in the quality of their future.

The town has made an effort to meet this challenge. A committee of townspeople, made up of merchants, officials, bankers, and citizens, has worked with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to develop a comprehensive program of town center improvements.

The Franklin Center Revitalization Committee has been active for just over a year now and much has been accomplished. The fundamental outlines of a committee endorsed plan are in place. By direct vote or by consensus the Committee has addressed a wide range of questions and embraced approaches to their solution.

The plan is designed around the market study - the physical changes envisioned in the center are in support of its character as a place to live and work and shop, not vice-versa. The market recommendations contain a number of special actions that will allow the center to function as a better, more organized unit and to permit it to serve its patrons and compete with other areas better. Without attention to this area (marketing and organization) it is unlikely that physical or other changes alone will make much long-term difference.

Physical changes to the center have been designed in support of these goals. Complaints about traffic and parking have been heeded and effective solutions proposed. Techniques of urban design and planning have been applied to help the center both look and function as a more vital place, responding to the character and values of the community it serves.

Implementation of this program will be a major undertaking and will constitute the core of the Committee's work for the future. There is no simple, "quick-fix" way to go about it - no magic wand of planning, no miracle grant from the Feds to do the job. It will only be accomplished through hard work and close cooperation between the private and public sectors in accomplishing the l1undreds of individual actions that will make up the final shape of your center. Frustrations are likely to mount as approvals and agreements stretch out for years when it seems like they should happen at once. But there is no easy way. There is only agreeing on an approach and pursuing it with energy and in a cooperative spirit."

You can find the PDF of this intro section here

You can find the PDF of the original doc here

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